The members of Scottish Opera Young Company were last together in the rehearsal room in March 2020, as they worked towards a much-anticipated production of Stephen Sondheim’s The Frogs, conducted by Jonathon Swinard and directed by Johnny McKnight. With mass cancellation of live events and lockdown looming, the performances scheduled for April were put on hold... but now they're back!
This week, the Young Company for 2020/21 is getting back to business, with a series of online sessions delivered by creatives including Scottish Opera Staff Director Roxana Haines, and Young Company Artistic Director Chris Gray, who is returning to the role after a 3-year hiatus. The series of six online sessions will run from 21 August until December, and will give Young Company members the chance to connect with their friends, develop their skills, and learn more about the production they will be working towards in 2021.
Young Company Patron and Scottish tenor Nicky Spence, who is currently rehearsing for upcoming performances at Glyndebourne, recorded some words of encouragement for the young singers, spurring them on to use this time away from rehearsals to work on their vocal technique and keep their voices active.
Applications for the 2020/21 Scottish Opera Young Company are now closed, however our 2021 Young Company Gateway programme is still open for applications. The programme provides musical and theatrical training for aspiring young singers aged 14-17. There is no audition and no previous stage experience is necessary, though the ability to read music and is required.
For those aged 16-19 who prefer to be backstage, our Young Company Stage Management programme is also open for applications. This offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the role of stage managers in producing opera. Find out more and apply here.